Engineers, Start Your Heating Boilers!
By spending a little time on preseason checks of your heating equipment, you could actually save fuel costs. According to Ernest Freeman, director of risk services for Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB), a properly serviced boiler will not have to work as hard, thus saving you money throughout the heating season. “The savings in energy costs will more than pay for a qualified service firm to provide your preseason check,” adds Freeman.
With colder weather coming, EMC recommends the following heating boiler start-up checklist provided by the experts of HSB.
- Have a competent service firm disassemble the low water cut-off and make-up water feeding devices. These parts should be thoroughly cleaned and reconditioned as required.
- Burner equipment should be cleaned and adjusted for maximum efficiency.
- The boiler heating surfaces, firebox, ash pit, casings and ducts should be cleaned of all deposits.
- The safety/relief valve should be tested for freedom of operation.
- All pressure and temperature controls and gauges should be checked for operation and adjusted or replaced as necessary.
- The water level gauge glass should be cleaned to indicate the proper water level at all times.
- Any leaking pipes or fittings located on the boiler or anywhere throughout the heating system should be repaired.
- Water lines exposed to freezing temperatures should be insulated.
- All mechanical equipment, such as fans and pumps, should be checked for smooth operation and proper lubrication.
- The boiler room should be kept dry and cleaned.
For a complete heating boiler start-up checklist, visit www.hsb.com.
